The Impact of BWM-T Versus Brief Mindfulness Induction on Stress, Anxiety and Self-Efficacy in University Students: Immediate and Short-Term Outcomes of RCT on Psychological Well-Being and Autonomic Balance

ABSTRACT Background: University students face increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and self-efficacy, which may disrupt autonomic balance. While many mind–body interventions require sustained practice, growing evidence suggests that even a single session can yield immediate benefits. This randomized controlled trial compared the immediate and short-term effects of the brain wave modulation technique (BWM-T) and a brief mindfulness induction on psychological and physiological outcomes in university students. Methods: %( students were randomly assigned to either BWM-T or a brief mindfulness induction. State anxiety (STAI-Y1), psychological distress (distress thermometer), generalized self-efficacy scale (GSES), and ) min heart rate variability (HRV) indices were assessed at baseline (T0), immediately after the session (T1), and 4 h later (T2). Mixed-design ANOVAs with Time (T0, T1, T2) as a within-subject factor and group (BWM-T vs. brief mindfulness induction) as a between-subject factor were conducted, followed by paired-sample t-tests where appropriate. Results: Across the total sample, significant main effects of Time emerged for state anxiety, distress, and self-efficacy (ps < 0.001), indicating reductions in anxiety and distress and increases in self-efficacy from pre-to post-session that were largely maintained at the 4 h follow-up. No significant time × group interactions were found for psychological outcomes, suggesting comparable trajectories for BWM-T and mindfulness. For HRV indices, a significant time × group interaction was observed only for VLF power. VLF decreased from T0–T1 in the BWM-T group, whereas no systematic changes were detected in the mindfulness group. All other HRV parameters (SDNN, rMSSD, pNN)0, LF, HF, LF/HF) remained stable over time, with no differential group effects. Conclusions: A single 1% min session of either BWM-T or a brief mindfulness induction yielded rapid improvements in self- reported anxiety, distress and GSES in university students, with effects persisting up to 4 h. Physiological effects were limited to a short-lived reduction in VLF power following BWM-T, while other indices of vagally mediated HRV did not change significantly. These findings support the use of brief mind–body practices as feasible tools for acute stress regulation in academic settings, while underscoring the need for larger, adequately powered trials and more comprehensive autonomic assessments.